#211: House Plants (Part 1)

1. We mentioned last week that the prohibition of planting applies to plants that grow indoors. Many poskim maintain that for this reason, one may not intentionally open the curtains to allow sunlight to shine on a houseplant (Shevitat HaShabbat 10). Likewise, one may not open the window to improve the ventilation or adjust the temperature for the benefit of the plant (Har Tzvi, O.C. 183).

2. One may open the curtains or the windows solely for the purpose of brightening the room or to allow for fresh air, even if plants in the room will also benefit from the sunshine (The 39 Melochos, p. 274).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.